Sports device, preferably a snow or water vehicle

ABSTRACT

A sports device ( 10 ), preferably a snow or water vehicle, has an outer shell ( 15 ) which when inflated, forms a support surface ( 13 ) underneath and a lying down or sitting surface ( 20 ) on top. An inflatable tubular shell ( 20 ) with two segments ( 21, 22 ) extending crosswise across it is provided in this outer shell ( 15 ). The outer shell ( 15 ) is formed of a robust fabric which is coated or laminated with plastic. The tubular shell ( 20 ), which is in itself separate from the outer shell, is produced from plastic films, preferably without any fabric reinforcement. The outer shell may also be connected to the tubular shell in such a way that they form a single film. The sports device can therefore be produced with optimal materials for the outer shell or the tubular shell, with the result that it has a long service life.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sports device, preferably a snow or watervehicle, which can be inflated with a medium, especially air, and whichcomprises an outer shell, which when inflated forms a support surfaceunderneath and a lying or sitting surface on top.

A generic sports device according to the document DE-A-34 34 384, whichrelates to an air-cushion toboggan, provides four longitudinal rollsarranged side by side, which can be inflated with air. The rolls at thetwo outer sides are parallel to one another at the rear end and arrangedconically at the front, tapering inwards towards a point, while the twoinner rolls extend in the longitudinal direction of the toboggan, and,in this context, serve as the sitting area of the toboggan. The outerrolls are each fitted with guide runners underneath, which taper at thefront towards a point. Furthermore, handles, which the driver can holdduring travel, are fitted to the upper side of the outer rolls.

One problem with this toboggan relates to its manufacture wherein it isnecessary to ensure that the rolls are manufactured from a sufficientlyrigid material. Because, if the toboggan were to travel over an object,for example a protruding, pointed stone, a hole could quickly appear inthe shell affected and the air pressure provided would immediatelydecline. Accordingly, the toboggan could only be driven with difficultyor not at all. A further disadvantage is that during travel, the drivermust displace his weight to the outer side of the toboggan in order tomake a curve. Because of the centrifugal force acting on the driver whentravelling in a curve, there is a risk that he may fall sideways fromthe toboggan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is therefore based upon the object of creating asports device of the type mentioned in the introduction, which isconstructed with increased safety and corresponding strength with thepurpose of providing a longer service life. Furthermore, the presentsports device should provide improved steering capability.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that an inflatabletubular shell is integrated inside the outer shell, which is either atleast partially separate or connected to the outer shell, and that atleast one connecting segment extending crosswise through it is provided,which connects the lower support surface to the lying or sitting surfacelocated above it.

By providing the outer shell and the tubular shell contained inside it,the sports device according to the present invention creates thesubstantial advantage that the outer shell can be made from a material,which is very resistant to contact with solid objects and to frictionalwear, and furthermore, as an advantage in manufacturing, can be fittedwithout difficulty with accessory components such as runners, handles,eyelets etc.

By contrast, the inner tubular shell, which advantageously is formed ofa single film together with the outer shell, can be fitted with amaterial specific for its purpose. Accordingly, this device can also befitted with runners to allow very simple and effective steering.

In one very advantageous embodiment, the outer shell and tubular shell,manufactured in each case from an upper and a lower film layer, arewelded together around the lateral perimeter by means of a continuousseam, whereby the outer shell comprises a robust fabric, which is coatedor laminated with a synthetic material, while the tubular shellcomprises a synthetic film. Accordingly, optimum conditions are providedfor a safe sports device with a long service life.

Further embodiments of the invention and additional advantages will bepresented below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are asfollows:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sports device according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the sports device according toFIG. 1 along the line II—II;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the sports device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the outer shell with asupport surface and attachable runners as a design variant;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a sports device in a designvariant in which the outer shell and the tubular shell consist of asingle film; and

FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal section through the sports deviceaccording to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a sports device 10, which, in the present embodiment, isespecially designed as a toboggan, but could essentially be used as anydesired snow vehicle or water vehicle. This sports device 10 is inflatedwith a medium, especially air, and comprises an outer shell 15, whichwhen inflated forms a lower support surface 13 and an upper lying orsitting surface 12.

In FIG. 2, an inflatable tubular shell 20 is provided according to theinvention with two connecting segments 21, 22 extending crosswisethrough it. The connecting segments connect the lower support surface 13to the upper lying or sitting surface 12 of the outer shell 15 in orderto limit the spacing and provide shape to the outer shell.

The outer shell 15 and the tubular shell 20 are each manufactured fromtwo correspondingly dimensioned pairs of film 15′, 20′; 15″, 20″, one ofwhich forms the upper side and the other forms the lower side of thedevice 10. The two-part tubular shell 20, with its film layers 20′, 20″,is of approximately the same dimensions as the associated film layers15′, 15″ of the outer shell 15. These superimposed film pairs 15′, 20′;15″, 20″ are welded together at the lateral perimeter by means of acontinuous seam 16, so that an enclosed chamber is formed inside thetubular shell 20.

The outer shell 15 is made from a robust fabric, which is coated orlaminated with an appropriate synthetic material, and the tubular shell20, which is per se separate from the latter is made from at least onesynthetic-material film. The upper film 15′ of the outer shell 15comprises a rough outer surface, so that a person seated on it will notslip. The inside of this film 15′ is coated or laminated with asynthetic material, so that it can be welded together with the per seseparate tubular shell 20 and the lower film.

The lower film 15″ is also manufactured from a robust fabric, which iscoated or laminated on both sides with a synthetic material. The insideof the lower film is preferably coated or laminated with the samesynthetic material as the inside of the upper film 15′. The lower sideof the lower film 15″ is coated or laminated with a synthetic materialproviding very good gliding properties, so that the sports device glideswell on snow or water.

In one very advantageous embodiment, the upper film 15′ of the outershell 15 comprises a GORE-TEX® CORDURA® fabric coated with polyurethaneTPU and/or a nylon fabric, while the lower film 15″, 55″ is manufacturedfrom a robust KELVAR® (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide), TELFON®(polyterafluoroethylene) or nylon fabric. The interior side of bothfilms are coated or laminated with polyurethane TPU. The outer side ofthe upper film which forms the sitting surface is uncoated, while theouter side of the lower film 15″, 55″ which forms the gliding surface,is coated or laminated with a PVC or TPU synthetic material providedwith good gliding properties. The tubular shell 20 is manufactured frompolyurethane TPU preferably without additional fabric. This combinationof materials provides, in particular, the advantage that the twodifferent shells can be very readily welded together. Of course, othermaterials, which fulfil the required properties for this sports device10, may in principle also be used.

Within the context of the invention, two connecting segments 21, 22running approximately symmetrical to the longitudinal central axis ofthe outer shell 15 are provided. Each of these connecting segments 21,22, which are also manufactured from a synthetic material correspondingto the fabric coating, is welded together to form the support surface 13underneath and the seating surface 12 on top of the outer shell 15 andthe tubular shell 20, in each case forming a longitudinal seam 17, 18,thereby creating one longitudinal roll in the center and one at eachouter side. In accordance with FIG. 1, a continuous longitudinal seam17, 18 results in a uniform, straight dividing line between the rolls.

The connecting segments 21, 22 are formed approximately along the entirelength of the outer shell 15. However, a connection between theindividual chambers 26 is provided at the front and the back, so thatonly one valve 14 is required for inflation and deflation with air. Thisprovides the further advantage that when the driver shifts his weight,the air can escape into the unloaded chambers. In principle, however,the three chambers 26 could be separated from one another, and aseparate valve 14 could be allocated to each one.

When welding together the film layers 15′, 15″; 20′, 20″ and theconnecting segments 21, 22, the connections through the longitudinalseams 17, 18 are produced first; and the seam 16 at the outer perimeteris only produced after this, advantageously by means of a knownhigh-frequency electrical welding technique.

When inflated, the outer shell 15 forms a mattress shape, as shown inFIG. 1, and in this context tapers laterally towards the front.Moreover, a handle 11 is attached at each side. This provides thefurther advantage that, any accessory components such as handles 11,eyelets, pockets and other features can be attached to this outer shell15, without the occurrence of problems relating to sealing, because thetubular shell is separate from these accessory components. Only thevalve 14 extends through the outer shell into the tubular interior.

The materials for the outer shell 15, the tubular shell 20 andconnecting segments 21, 22 are designed to be flexible so that thedevice 10 can readily be folded and stored, for example, in a rucksack.

FIG. 3 shows the sports device 10 from below, illustrating its runners31, 32 arranged in the longitudinal direction, and attached to thesupport surface 13 of the outer shell 15. The two outer runners 32 arenot straight, but are curved outwards with a radius R. Accordingly, thedriver can shift his weight to the inner side of the toboggan therebyproducing increased pressure on one of these two runners 32. Thisslightly tapering design of the runners 32 allows the toboggan toproduce curves as it were automatically when the weight is shifted toone or the other of these runners. The radius R is preferably on theorder of magnitude between 5 and 20 meters.

In accordance with FIG. 4, as a design variant, a profiled plate 35 withseveral T-grooves 36 arranged adjacently for retaining the runners 37 iswelded onto the support surface 13 of the outer shell 15. Thisillustrates that with the design of the device according to theinvention, various solutions can be implemented depending onrequirements.

FIG. 5 shows a sports device 50, which is essentially constructed in thesame manner as that shown in FIG. 1. For this reason, the same referencecharacters are used to refer to the same components. By contrast withthe design according to FIG. 1, an outer shell 55 and a tubular shell 60are provided; these are connected to one another and form a single film.Again, an upper and a lower film are provided, which are welded togetherlaterally by means of an overlap 56.

In accordance with FIG. 6, the outer shell 55 is manufactured from arobust fabric, which, again, is coated or laminated with syntheticmaterial. For this purpose, the upper film 55′ comprises a rough outersurface with the robust fabric 56. On the inside 57, it is coated orlaminated with synthetic material and thereby forms the tubular shell.The lower film 55″ is also made from the robust fabric 56, moreover,coated or laminated on the inside 58 with synthetic material to form thetubular shell, and provided with the appropriate, synthetic materialoffering good gliding properties on the outside 59 to form the glidingsurface.

Moreover, in the case of this sports device 50, it is advantageous for aseparate piece of film 52, 53 to be attached, especially welded, in eachcase to the inside of the tubular shell 60 at all positions, at whichaccessory components, such as runners, handles 11, eyelets or the valveare attached to the outer shell 55, so that an additional seal isprovided at these positions.

This sports device is preferably used as a toboggan, which can besteered very easily and is also suitable for deep snow.

With reference to the exemplary embodiments described above, theinvention has been adequately explained. However, it could be presentedin still further variants. In principle the tubular shell could also bemanufactured completely separately from the outer shell and insertedinto the latter and advantageously attached to it.

Furthermore, only one or more than two crosswise-extending connectingsegments could be provided inside the tubular shell 20.

The outer shell and also the tubular shell could in each case comprise asock-shaped shell only being connected together at the front and therear. Also, their outer shape could, of course, be designed differentlyfrom the examples presented, for instance, being rounded, oval,elliptical or similar shape.

1. An inflatable sports device comprising: an outer shell forming alower support surface and an upper support surface for supporting anindividual in a sitting or lying position; an inflatable tubular shelldisposed inside of said outer shell, wherein said inflatable tubularshell is connected to said outer shell; and at least one connectingsegment formed of a synthetic material and extending longitudinallyacross said inflatable tubular shell and connecting the lower supportsurface to the upper support surface, wherein said connecting segment iswelded to the lower support surface, the upper support surface, and theinflatable shell so as to form a longitudinal seam, wherein the uppersupport surface of said outer shell comprises a rough surface, while thelower support surface comprises a low-friction surface.
 2. Theinflatable sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer shellcomprises: an upper film made of a polyurethane-coated fabric and/or anylon fabric; and a lower film made of poly-paraphenyleneterephthalamide, polytetrafluoroethylene or nylon fabric, wherein theinterior surfaces of both of the upper and lower films are coated withpolyurethane, and the outer surface of the upper film is uncoated whilethe outer surface of the lower film is coated with a PVC or TPUsynthetic material to provide a low friction surface.
 3. The inflatablesports device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least oneaccessory component connected only to said outer shell, and a valveextending though said outer shell and into the interior of said tubularshell.
 4. The inflatable sports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein,when said tubular shell is inflated, said outer shell tapers toward afront thereof.
 5. The inflatable sports device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the materials forming said outer shell, said tubular shell andsaid connecting segments are foldable.
 6. The inflatable sports deviceas claimed in claim 1, further comprising a profiled plate welded to thelower support surface of said outer shell, wherein said profiled plateis adapted to retain runners thereon.
 7. The inflatable sports device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said outer shell is made from a durablefabric which is coated with a synthetic material, and said tubular shellis made from at least one synthetic material film, which does notinclude a fabric reinforcement.
 8. The inflatable sports device asclaimed in claim 7, further comprising an accessory component attachedto said outer shell and a separate piece of film attached to the insideof said tubular shell at the location at which said accessory componentis attached so as to form an additional seal.
 9. The inflatable sportsdevice as claimed in claim 8, wherein said accessory component comprisesone of a runner, a handle, an eyelet and a valve.
 10. The inflatablesports device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer shell is madefrom a durable fabric which is coated with a synthetic material, andsaid tubular shell is made from at least one synthetic material film.11. The inflatable sports device as claimed in claim 10, wherein saidouter shell and said tubular shell are each constructed of two filmlayers having outer edges that are connected along an outer peripheralseam.
 12. The inflatable sports device as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid outer shell and said tubular shell are welded together at a lateralperimeter so as to define a continuous seam.
 13. The inflatable sportsdevice as claimed in claim 12, wherein the continuous seam comprises abutt-seam or an overlapping seam.
 14. An inflatable sports devicecomprising: an outer shell forming a lower support surface and an uppersupport surface for supporting an individual in a sitting or lyingposition: an inflatable interior shell disposed inside of said outershell, wherein said inflatable interior shell is connected to said outershell; and a plurality of interior connecting segments formed ofsynthetic material and extending longitudinally across said interiorshell and said outer shell, wherein each of said interior connectingsegments connects the lower support surface to the upper supportsurface, wherein said connecting segments are welded to the lowersupport surface, the upper support surface, and the interior shell so asto form a plurality of parallel longitudinal seams, wherein the uppersupport surface of said outer shell comprises a rough surface, while thelower support surface comprises a low-friction surface.
 15. Theinflatable sports device as claimed in claim 14, wherein thelongitudinal seams are disposed symmetrically with respect to alongitudinal central axis of said outer shell thereby creating a centrallongitudinal roll and opposite side rolls.
 16. The inflatable sportsdevice as claimed in claim 14, wherein said connecting segments extendsubstantially the entire length of said outer shell so as to form aplurality of chambers within said interior shell, and the chambers arein fluid communication with each other.
 17. The inflatable sports deviceas claimed in claim 14, further comprising a profiled plate welded tothe lower support surface of said outer shell, wherein said profiledplate is adapted to retain runners thereon.
 18. The inflatable sportsdevice as claimed in claim 17, wherein said profiled plate forms aplurality of T-shaped grooves for receiving a plurality of runners,respectively.